Sparkling Water and Weight Loss: The Truth and Myth Behind Switching To Sparkling
Sparkling water has long been a go-to drink for dieters. It combines the texture and flavor of soda with fewer calories. Some people love it, while others think it doesn't hold a candle to soda and other high-calorie beverages. Others think that this magic water isn't all it's cracked up to be and has associated risks. So, is it good for weight loss? While it may not burn fat, there are plenty of ways it can help you lose weight.
What Is Sparkling Water?
The idea of sparkling water can be a bit confusing. It goes by many names like club soda, seltzer, and carbonated water. However, these are all different names for the same thing. It's regular water that contains carbon dioxide to create bubbles in the water. In addition, many people confuse it with a similar beverage called Tonic water which is also carbonated. However, it is made with quinine, an extra ingredient that makes it more of a soft drink than sparkling water.
Weight Loss Benefits of Sparkling Water
Sparkling water has many benefits for weight loss; though none are directly linked to fat burning, they support the journey. Much of its effects on weight loss are considered anecdotal. There is some science behind why and how it works to cut calories and pounds.
Fewer Calories
Carbonated water, specifically Natura Water, typically have zero calories. The ones that do have calories are often a fraction of sugary drinks like juice and soda. So by replacing those other drinks with carbonated water, you get the same mouthfeel. However, it saves an untold number of calories, leading to natural weight loss.
Keeps You Hydrated
Sparkling water may have bubbles. However, it is still water and digested the same way, so it hydrates the cells like regular water. When dehydrated, your body can send mixed signals telling you to eat when you are thirsty. Eating when your body doesn't need the calories to convert to energy leads to weight gain, so drinking low to no-calorie sparkling water instead of eating those calories will lead to weight loss. Proper hydration levels also make you feel better and have more energy to burn more calories through activity throughout your day.
Fills You Up
A mixture of water and carbonation can trick your stomach into thinking it's full, so you don't reach for that mid-day snack. Drinking it before or during a meal will help you feel more full, so you eat less.
Empties You Out
Constipation is uncomfortable, but it can also add pounds to the scale and make your clothes not fit properly. Some information suggests that it helps to increase the regularity of bowel movements which will not only clear your system but make you generally feel better at the same time.
Flush Out Water Weight
It may seem counterproductive to drink more water to get rid of water weight, but there is science behind it. When you don't drink enough water, your body tends to hold on to as much water as it can to keep your organs functioning, leading to water retention. By drinking sparkling water regularly, you tell your body that it doesn't need to hold onto that water, and you may shed a few pounds in excess fluids.
Boosts Metabolism
Drinking cold sparkling water forces your body to heat it, boosting metabolism. It also activates your body's digestive process, helping break down foods better and get them through your system faster.
Sparkling Water Myths
Sparkling water has plenty of weight loss benefits and few potential negatives, but plenty of myths surrounding this carbonated beverage unjustly turn people away.
Health Myths
For years people believed that sparkling water could affect pregnancies or may be bad for the kidneys, but neither has seemed to correlate with sparkling water. Another widely-spread rumor is that sparkling water affected bone density which has since proven false. The phosphorus in sodas affects bone density, so switching to sparkling water could preserve bone density.
Does Sparkling Water Cause Cellulite?
For years we didn't know the cause of cellulite, and there were many things attributed to it, including drinking carbonated water. However, that is not the case, and there is no correlation between cellulite and sparkling water.
Does Sparkling Water Cause Heartburn?
There is a sliver of truth to this one, as sparkling water could exasperate already occurring heartburn by creating pressure in the stomach. However, sparkling water will not cause heartburn in an individual who is not already suffering from it.
Are There Any Actual Health Concerns?
If you are drinking sparkling water to lose weight, you want to ensure that you aren't making the problem worse or causing other adverse health effects. Luckily, there is no evidence suggests that carbonated or sparkling water is bad for you.
Is It Worth It?
Sparkling water is an excellent option for people looking to ditch high-calorie sodas and juices but who get bored with plain water. Not only does sparkling beverages help to cut out sugars and calories, but they have stand-alone health benefits that you won't get out of other drinks, even regular water. Sparkling water isn't just a healthy alternative; it is a legitimate weight loss tool that, when combined with other measures, will help you reach your goals and have you looking and feeling better while doing it.
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